KR20110124654A - Mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A mobile terminal is provided to increase the performance reliability of an input device. CONSTITUTION: An input unit is mounted to one side of the body to receive a control command. A switch assembly(150) is arranged to be laminated to the input unit. The switch assembly generates a signal corresponding to the control command by being pressed by the input unit. The switch assembly includes a switch(151) and a protective film(153). If the switch is pressed, the protective film is comprised to enable air to pass through between the switch and a circuit board.

Description

Mobile terminal {MOBILE TERMINAL}

The present invention relates to a switch assembly receiving a command for control and a mobile terminal having the same.

The terminal can move And can be divided into a mobile / portable terminal and a stationary terminal depending on whether the mobile terminal is a mobile terminal or a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal may be further classified into a handheld terminal and a vehicle mount terminal according to whether a user can directly carry it.

Such a terminal has various functions, for example, in the form of a multimedia device having multiple functions such as photographing and photographing of a moving picture, reproduction of a music or video file, reception of a game and broadcasting, etc. .

In order to support and increase the function of the terminal, it may be considered to improve the structural part and / or software part of the terminal, and as an improvement of the structural part of the terminal, an input device for implementing the function of the mobile terminal. Further improvement may be considered.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal with high performance reliability of the input device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a switch assembly and a mobile terminal made slimmer.

In order to solve the above problems, the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention is arranged to be stacked with at least one body, an input unit mounted on one surface of the body to receive a control command, and the input unit And a switch assembly pressed by the input unit to generate a signal corresponding to the control command. The switch assembly is disposed on one surface of the circuit board and is switched by the pressing to face the input unit to generate the signal to be pressed by the input unit, and to cover the switch to limit the inflow of foreign matter And a protective film made to penetrate the air so as to discharge air between the switch and the circuit board when the switch is pressurized.

As an example related to the present invention, the passivation layer is formed of a material of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (expanded ePTFE) at least partially. The protective film includes a base film and an adhesive unit. The base film is formed of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene material, and the adhesive unit is disposed along an edge of the base film on one side of the base film. The passivation layer may include a support film mounted on the other surface of the base film and having a through hole formed at the center thereof.

As another example related to the present invention, the switch assembly includes an insulating film formed to cover one surface of the circuit board, the insulating film is formed with a through hole through which the switch passes, and the protective film is mounted on the insulating film. . The switch may include a dome switch, and one surface of the dome switch may be provided with a vent for discharging the air.

In the mobile terminal according to at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, since the passivation layer is made to penetrate the air, the air exhaust structure of the switch assembly may be simplified. In addition, the performance reliability of the input device is higher, and the mobile terminal can be made slimmer.

In addition, according to the present invention, at least a part of the protective film is formed of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (expanded ePTFE) material, thereby simultaneously implementing waterproof and air discharge of the switch assembly.

1 is a block diagram of a portable terminal according to the present invention;
2 is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal related to the present invention;
3 is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal of FIG. 2;
4 is an exploded perspective view of the mobile terminal of FIG. 2;
5A and 5B are cross-sectional and operational views of the switch assembly on the side, respectively.
6A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the protective film of FIG. 5A, and FIG. 6B is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a modification of the protective film of FIG. 5A.
Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the switch assembly on the main side.

Hereinafter, a switch assembly related to the present invention and a mobile terminal having the same will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification, the same or similar reference numerals are assigned to the same or similar configurations in different embodiments, and the description thereof is replaced with the first description. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

The suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following description are given or used in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles from each other.

The mobile terminal described herein may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), navigation, and the like. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may also be applied to fixed terminals such as digital TVs, desktop computers, etc., except when applicable only to mobile terminals.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a wireless communication module 161, an operation unit 116, 117, an image input unit 115, 121, an audio input unit 118, a display unit 113, The sound output unit 114, the sensing unit 166, the interface 119, the broadcast receiving module 165, the memory 164, the power supply unit 120, and the controller 160 are included.

1 shows a mobile terminal having various components. However, not all illustrated components are required. The mobile terminal may be implemented by more components than the illustrated components, or the mobile terminal may be implemented by fewer components.

The controller 160 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like.

The wireless communication module 161 transmits / receives a radio signal with a mobile communication base station through an antenna unit. For example, under the control of the controller 160, the transmitter 162 is responsible for transmitting and receiving voice data, text data, video data, and control data, and modulates and transmits a signal to be transmitted, and a receiver for demodulating the received signal. 163).

The operation units 116 and 117 are configured as shown in FIG. 1 to provide the control unit 160 with key input data input by the user for controlling the operation of the terminal. Manipulators 116 and 117 are configured as dome switches. The operation unit may be composed of a touch pad (constant voltage / capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The image input units 115 and 121 process image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in a video call mode or a photographing mode. The processed image frame is converted into image data displayable on the display unit 113 and output to the display unit 113.

The image frames processed by the image input units 115 and 121 may be stored in the memory 164 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication module 161 under the control of the controller 160.

The sound input unit 118 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, etc., and processes the external sound signal into electrical voice data. The processed voice data is converted into a form transmittable to the mobile communication base station through the wireless communication module 161 and output to the wireless communication module 161 in the call mode. In the recording mode, the processed voice data is output to be stored in the memory 164.

The sound input unit 118 may implement various noise removing algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The display 113 displays and outputs information processed by the mobile terminal. For example, when the mobile terminal is in a call mode, the control unit 160 displays and outputs a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) related to the call. When the mobile terminal is in a video call mode or a photographing mode, the mobile terminal displays and outputs the captured image, UI, or GUI under the control of the controller 160. When the display unit 113 includes a touch screen, the display unit 113 is used as an input device in addition to the output device.

The sound output unit 114 controls the sound data or the memory 164 received from the wireless communication module 161 under the control of the control unit 160 in a call signal reception, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, and a broadcast reception mode. The stored sound data is converted and output to the outside.

In addition, the sound output unit 114 outputs a sound signal related to a function (eg, a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.) performed in the mobile terminal 100.

The sensing unit 166 detects a current state of the mobile terminal such as an open / closed state of the mobile terminal, a location of the mobile terminal, presence or absence of a user contact, and generates a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal. For example, when the mobile terminal is in the form of a slide phone, whether the slide phone is opened or closed is sensed so as to output a sensing result to the controller 160 to control the operation of the terminal. In addition, it is responsible for sensing functions related to whether the power supply unit 120 is supplied with power or whether the interface 119 is coupled to an external device.

The interface 119 may be connected to a mobile terminal using a wired / wireless headset, an external charger, a wired / wireless data port, a card socket (eg, a memory card, a SIM / UIM card), or the like. It serves as an interface with the device. The interface 119 receives data from an external device or receives power and transmits the data to each component inside the mobile terminal, or transmits the data inside the mobile terminal to the external device.

The memory 164 may store a program for processing and controlling the control unit 160, and provides a function for temporarily storing input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). Can be done.

In addition, the memory 164 stores a program for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention.

This memory 164 includes concepts such as hard disks, card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, etc.), flash memory, RAM, ROM, and the like, which are generally known.

The broadcast receiving module 165 receives a broadcast signal transmitted through a satellite or terrestrial wave, converts the broadcast signal into a broadcast data format that can be output to the sound output unit 114 and the display unit 113, and outputs it to the control unit 160. In addition, the broadcast receiving module 165 receives additional data related to the broadcast (for example, an EPG (electric program guide), a channel list, etc.). The broadcast data and additional data converted by the broadcast receiving module 165 may be stored in the memory 164.

The power supply unit 120 receives an external power source and an internal power source under the control of the controller 160 to supply power for operation of each component.

2 is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 100 includes a terminal body 110 of a 'bar' type. However, the present invention is not limited to the bar type mobile terminal disclosed in FIG. 2, but is a 'folder' type in which two terminal bodies are foldably connected, but a 'slide' is slidably connected. The present invention can be applied to a mobile terminal having a different type or form factor, such as a type.

The case (casing, housing, cover, etc.) forming the exterior of the terminal body 110 is formed by the front case 111 and the rear case 112. Various electronic components are embedded in the space formed by the front case 111 and the rear case 112. At least one intermediate case 111a may be further disposed between the front case 111 and the rear case 112. The cases 111, 111a and 112 may be formed by injecting a synthetic resin, or may be formed of a metal material, for example, a material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti), or a ceramic.

The front case 111 may include a display unit 113, a first sound output unit 114, a first image input unit 115, or a first manipulation unit 116.

The display unit 151 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) module, an organic light emitting diodes (OLED) module, an e-paper, a transparent OLED (TOLED), and the like, which visually express information. In addition, the display unit 151 may be configured to receive information or a control command by a user's touch by including a touch sensing means. The touch sensing means may include a transparent electrode film disposed inside the window, and a resistive film type or an electrostatic type may be applied.

The first sound output unit 114 may be implemented in the form of a receiver or a speaker, and the first image input unit 115 may be in the form of a camera module for capturing an image or a video for a user. Can be implemented.

The first operation unit 116 receives a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The second manipulation unit 117, the sound input unit 118, and the interface 119 may be disposed on at least one of the front case 111 and the rear case 112.

The first and second manipulators 116 and 117 may be collectively referred to as manipulating portions, and may be employed in any manner as long as the user is tactile in a tactile manner.

For example, the operation unit may be implemented as a dome switch or a touch pad that may receive a command or information by a user's push or touch operation, or may be implemented by a wheel or jog method that rotates a key, or a method such as a joystick. Can be.

In functional terms, the first manipulation unit 116 may be for inputting a command such as a start, end, scroll, or the like, or for inputting numbers, letters, symbols, and the like. The second manipulation unit 117 may operate as a hot-key that performs a special function such as activation of the first image input unit 115.

The sound input unit 118 may be implemented in the form of, for example, a microphone to receive a user's voice, other sounds, and the like.

The interface 119 serves as a passage for allowing the mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention to exchange data with an external device. For example, the interface 119 is wired or wirelessly, a connection terminal for connecting with an earphone, a port for short-range communication (for example, an infrared port (IrDA port), a Bluetooth port, a wireless LAN port ( wireless Lan port), or at least one of power supply terminals for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100.

The interface 119 may be a card socket for receiving an external card such as a subscriber identification module (SIM) or a user identity module (UIM), a memory card for storing information.

3 is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal 100 of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, a second image input unit 141 may be additionally mounted on the bottom of the rear case 112. The second image input unit 121 may be a camera having a photographing direction substantially opposite to that of the first image input unit 115 (refer to FIG. 2) and having different pixels from the first image input unit 115.

For example, the first image input unit 115 has a low pixel so that it is easy to photograph a user's face and transmit the image to a counterpart in the case of a video call, and the second image input unit 121 immediately photographs a general subject. It is preferable to have a high pixel because it is not transmitted in many cases.

The flash 122 and the mirror unit 123 are further disposed adjacent to the second image input unit 121. The flash 122 emits light toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the second image input unit 121. The mirror unit 123 allows the user to see the user's face or the like when the user wants to photograph himself (self-photographing) using the second image input unit 121.

The terminal body may be provided with an antenna unit for a call, Bluetooth communication, or GPS communication. The rear case 112 may include an antenna 124 for receiving broadcast signals in addition to the antenna unit. The antenna 124 may be installed to be pulled out of the terminal body 110.

The power supply unit 120 for supplying power to at least one component of the mobile terminal 100 is configured at the rear case 112 side. The power supply unit 120 may include, for example, a rechargeable battery to supply power. The battery may be detachably coupled for charging or the like.

An antenna 116 for receiving a broadcast signal may be disposed on one side of the terminal body 110 in addition to an antenna for a call. The antenna 116 may be rotatably installed after being drawn out or drawn out to the rear case 112.

4 is an exploded perspective view of the mobile terminal of FIG. 2.

According to the illustration, the side circuit board 131 is disposed to face the side of the terminal case (111, 111a, 112). The circuit board 131 is manufactured by printing a circuit pattern on an insulating member forming an appearance. The circuit board 131 may be, for example, a flexible circuit board, and the switch assembly 150 is formed on the circuit board 131.

An input unit corresponding to the switch assembly 150 is disposed to be stacked with the switch assembly 150. The input unit may be, for example, side keys 117a mounted on side surfaces of the terminal cases 111, 111a and 112. The side key 117a and the switch assembly 150 may be classified into the second operation unit 117.

The main circuit board 132 is mounted inside the terminal body 110. The main circuit board 132 is connected to the side circuit board 131 so that the switch assembly 150 is pressed by the side key 117a to generate a signal corresponding to a control command input by the user.

According to the illustration, the main circuit board 132 may be equipped with a display 113a, a speaker 114a, a camera 115a and the like.

A window 113b having a light transmissive area is formed on the front surface of the front case 111 to protect the display 113a. The front case 111 is coupled to a bracket 113c formed to support the display 113a. The bracket 113c may be formed of stainless steel, and may be formed in a strip-shaped polygonal shape to support the edge of the display 113a.

The speaker 114a and the camera 115a are disposed at one side of the display 113a. A sound discharge hole 114b and a camera window 115b corresponding to the speaker 114a and the camera 115a are formed in front of the front case 111, respectively. The speaker 114a and the sound discharge hole 114b may be classified as the sound output unit 114 (see FIG. 2), and the camera 115a and the camera window 115b may be classified as the image input unit 115 (see FIG. 2). have.

An antenna 140 for wireless communication of the mobile terminal 100 may be disposed at one corner of the terminal cases 111, 111a, and 112. 4 shows that the circuit board 132 is disposed on the lower rear side. The power feeding unit 141 of the antenna 140 is formed in a spring shape to be connected to and contact the circuit board 132.

The switch assembly 160 is formed on the circuit board 132, and the keypad 116a is mounted on the front case 111 to correspond to the switch assembly 160. The keypad mounting hole 116b is formed on the front surface of the front case 111 so that the keypad 116a may be exposed. The keypad 116a, the keypad mounting hole 116b, and the switch assembly 160 may be classified into the first manipulation unit 116.

The switch assembly 160 may include a switch 161 and a contact portion formed on one surface of the circuit board under the switch 161. When the contact portion contacts the switch 161, the contact portion and the switch 161 are energized, and a signal corresponding to the user's input control command may be generated using the contact portion and the switch 161.

The switch assemblies 150, 160 may form a user input 140 (see FIG. 1) with a keypad 116a and a side key 117a. Hereinafter, the switch assemblies 150 and 160 will be described in more detail.

5A and 5B are cross-sectional views and operation views of the switch assembly 150 on the side, respectively, and FIG. 6A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the protective film of FIG. 5A.

Referring to the drawings, the switch assembly 150 may include a switch 151, an insulating film 152, and a protective film 153.

The switch 151 is disposed on one surface of the circuit board 131, faces the side key 117a to be pressed by the side key 117a, and generates a signal corresponding to the control command. Switching by pressurization. As an example of such a switch 151, the switch 151 may be a dome switch elastically deformed by pressing. The dome switch is in contact with the contact portion by elastic deformation, through which the contact portion and the dome switch are electrically connected.

According to the illustration, the insulating film 152 is formed to cover one surface of the circuit board 131. One surface of the circuit board 131 is patterned with a contact portion electrically connected by contact with the switch, and the insulating film 152 insulates the rest except for the contact portion of the circuit board 131 with respect to the outside.

Through-holes are formed in the insulating layer 152 to allow the switch 151 to pass therethrough. The switch 151 may protrude from the circuit board 131 toward the side key 117a through the through hole.

The passivation layer 153 is mounted on the insulating layer 152 and covers the switch 151 to limit the inflow of foreign substances. That is, the protective film 153 is formed to seal or seal the switch 151 from the periphery.

The protective layer 153 is configured to discharge air between the switch 151 and the circuit board 131 when the switch 151 is pressed. More specifically, the passivation layer 153 has a molecular structure having fine holes such that air passes through the main surface of the passivation layer 153. In addition, a vent hole 151a for discharging air may be formed at one surface of the dome switch.

Referring to FIG. 5B, when the side key 117a presses the switch 151, air between the switch 151 and the circuit board 131 penetrates through the main surfaces of the vent hole 151a and the protective film 153. To be discharged.

The passivation layer 153 may be formed of a material of polytetrafluoroethylene (expanded ePTFE) at least partially expanded. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene is prepared by rapidly expanding polytetrafluoroethylene under appropriate conditions and is a material having a microporous structure.

Referring to FIG. 6A, the passivation layer 153 includes a base film 153a and an adhesive unit 153b.

The base film 153a is formed of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene material and has a thin film form. The adhesive unit 153b is disposed along an edge of the base film 153a on one surface of the base film 153a. As shown in FIG. 5A, the adhesive unit 153b adheres the insulating film 152 and the protective film 153 to each other.

As described above, since the base film 153a is formed of polytetrafluoroethylene and covers the switch 151, the switch assembly 150 is not provided with a separate air outlet, so that the switch assembly ( The waterproofing and air release mechanism of 150 may be implemented at the same time. In addition, the performance reliability of the switch assembly is higher, and the mobile terminal can be made slimmer.

Hereinafter, another embodiment of the switch assembly according to the present invention will be described.

6B is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of the protective film of FIG. 5A.

Referring to FIG. 6B, the protective film includes a base film 253a, an adhesive unit 253b, and a support film 253c. The base film 253a and the adhesion unit 253b are formed similarly or identically to the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 6A. The supporting film 253c is mounted on the other surface of the base film 253a, that is, the surface opposite to the surface on which the adhesive unit 253b is disposed. As the support film 253c supports the base film 253a, a more robust switch assembly structure may be implemented.

According to the illustration, the through hole 253d is formed in the center of the support film 253c. Through this, air between the switch 151 and the circuit board 131 (see FIG. 5A) is sequentially discharged through the main surface of the base film 253a and the through hole 253d.

7 is a cross-sectional view of the switch assembly 160 on the main side, showing another embodiment of the switch assembly.

The main circuit board 132 is provided with a plurality of switches 161 (refer to FIG. 4), and the keypad 116a is provided with a plurality of key tops. For example, the first switch 161a is disposed at the edge of the circuit board, and the second switch 161b is disposed at the center thereof.

An insulating film 162 is formed between the switches 161a and 161b to cover the circuit board 132. According to the illustration, the passivation layer 163 is formed to cover the plurality of switches 161 together.

At least some of the switches 161a and 161b are spaced apart from one surface of the circuit board 132 such that an air outlet 164 is formed between the switches 161a and 161b and the circuit board 132. For example, the air outlet 164a of the first switch 161a is formed at one side of the first switch 161a which is biased in the center of the circuit board, and the air outlet 164b of the second switch 161b is second It may be formed on both sides of the switch 161b.

According to the above structure, vent holes are not formed in the bodies of the switches 161a and 161b, and when the keypad 116a presses the second switch 161b, for example, the second switch 161b and the circuit board are provided. Air between the 132 passes through the main surface of the air outlet 164b and the protective film 163 and is discharged to the outside. As such, as the air exhaust structure of the switch assembly 160 is more simply implemented, the mobile terminal can be made slimmer.

The switch assembly and the mobile terminal having the same are not limited to the configuration and method of the embodiments described above, but the embodiments are configured by selectively combining all or part of the embodiments so that various modifications can be made. May be

Claims (7)

At least one body; An input unit mounted to one surface of the body to receive a control command; And a switch assembly arranged to be stacked with the input unit, the switch assembly being pressed by the input unit to generate a signal corresponding to the control command.
The switch assembly,
A switch disposed on one surface of a circuit board, facing the input unit to be pressed by the input unit, and switched by the pressing to generate the signal; And
A mobile terminal comprising a protective film made to cover the switch to limit the inflow of foreign matter, and the air penetrates to discharge the air between the switch and the circuit board when the switch is pressed. The method of claim 1,
The protective film is a mobile terminal, characterized in that formed at least in part of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (expanded ePTFE) material. The method of claim 2,
The protective film,
A base film formed of a material of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene; And
A mobile terminal comprising an adhesive unit disposed along the edge of the base film on one surface of the base film. The method of claim 3,
The protective film further includes a support film mounted on the other surface of the base film and having a through hole formed in the center thereof. The method of claim 1,
The switch assembly further includes an insulating film formed to cover one surface of the circuit board,
The through hole is formed in the insulating film so that the switch penetrates, and the protective film is a mobile terminal, characterized in that mounted on the insulating film. The method of claim 1,
The switch comprises a dome switch, the mobile terminal, characterized in that the vent hole for the discharge of the air is formed on one surface of the dome switch. In the switch assembly is pressed by the input unit of the mobile terminal to generate a signal corresponding to the control command,
The switch assembly,
A switch disposed on one surface of a circuit board, facing the input unit to be pressed by the input unit, and switched by the pressing to generate the signal; And
And a protective film formed to cover the switch to restrict the inflow of foreign substances, and wherein the air penetrates through the air to discharge the air between the switch and the circuit board when the switch is pressed.

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